Electrical relay



NOV. 20, 1923 R. C. BRWNE ELECTRICAL RELAY.

Filed April 2.9', 1918 Patented Elev, Ztl, w23.

RJLPH C. BROWNE, 0F SALEM, MASSUHUSETTS.

ELECTRIGAL RELAY.

t .application led April 29, i918. Serial No. 231,3113.

.To all whom t may concern.' K Be it known that l, RALrr-rC. BRowNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at v Salem, in the county ot Essex and State of liliassaehusetts, have invented new and uselful Improvements in Electrical Relays, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention has particular relation to x that class of relays in which thev energy of one electrical circuit is caused'to mechanically open, close or'regulate a second ci-rcuit. As previously constructed, relays ot this vtype have had a number of inherent detects, among which should be mentioned high resistanceot the electrical circuit, sensitive..

ness to accidental operation through mechanical jar or vibration, imperfect operation of the contacts in the second circuit, due to oxide and dirt forming outhem in sufficient quantities as to prevent the limited power of the moving parts to overcome sensit-iveness to stray magnetic iields, etc.

The objects of the present invention are to overcome the defects referred to and in addition to provide an instrument which is capable of a greater range of usefulness, which is responsive to the most minute fluctuations of current in the controlling circuit, which is practically incapable of accidental bration, jarring and` dislocation` without causingan accidental operation or impairing the eiiicacy of its operation when normal conditions are restored, and which may be adjusted to operate at a predetermined value of current in the controlling circuit.

Referring to the drawings,'- A l41 igure 1 represents a side viewE of an Y, instrument embodying theinvention. 4U Figure 2 represents a view of the other side ot the upper portion of said instrument, which includes the magnet, the coil, the cup, and other adjacent elements. f A Figure represents an end view of said 45 upper portion. v l

Figure t represents an' enlarged section on the line 44 of Figure 1, the intermediate portion being broken away. Figure 5 represents a section` 0n the line 5 5 of Fig. Figures 6 and 7 represent sections on the line 6 6 of Fig.- 3, and show thecup in different positions.

l desire to'have it vunderstood that the invention is capable of many embodiments,

and consequently is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement ot .parts which have been illustrated as-one `other circuit 11 as the controlled circuit. 70

The controlling Circuit includes a rectangular coil l2 mounted to rotate or oscillate in a magnetic field, preferably maintained by a permanent magnet 13, and through the annular magnetic air gap between a fixed cylindrical iron mass 14 and the poles of said magnet. The' end portions of the rectangular coil are mounted in jewel or antiiriction bearings 15 at the ends of the mass 111, the latter being rigidly secured to the @S0 magnet by diama-gnetic bars 16, 16, extending across the poles, and screws 23. The endsot the conductor forming the coil are .connected to two oppositely and balanced 30 operation, which can be subjected to vij- Yii nediair' vsprings 17, 18, electrically con- 85 nected respectively to the bindingiposts 19, 20, which are of course insulated `troineach other. The .ends ot the conductors, forming a portion-of the controlling circuit 10, may be attached to said posts.

At one end'of said coil there i-s a member which l may call a cup 21 oi. semi-cylindrical shape, ,and in which is held or sustained a controlling member.. In the present instance, said controlling member takes the form ot a spherical weight 22, the cup and` weight being located in the axis of 'movement of the coil, so that, when the cu'p is upright, the member 22 is in a state. 'or

equilibrium. 'lihe sustaining Wall of the l0@ cup is concentric with the said axis, so that theequilibrium of the ball is not disturbed unt-il the cup has been rotated far enou h to let the hall roll out and drop. -Norma ly the coil is in a position with the cup upright# 305 and engages a stop (one of the screws 23-A in the present instance) which holds it against clockwiseo rotation.,` When caused to rotatev by the passage of a, current through the' coil (or bythecessation of a current if the parts are so adjusted), the coil rotates to an angularcposition to permit the ball to drop 'from the cup.

The controlled circuit 11 includes a air of fixed conta-cts 24, 25, which are depen ent from an insulating support 26, and which are shown as transversely curved resilient members arranged at an inclination to each other to form a V-shape space 'between them. If the controlled circuit is normally closed, the ends of the contacts are electrically en gaged and the ball or controlling member is in that case formed of glass, porcelain or other non-conducting material, so that, when dropped into the V-shaped space formed by the contacts, it will wedge them apart and open the circuit. If the controlling circuit, however, is normally open.'the ball or con trolling member is made of conducting material, and, on being dropped between the then normally separated contacts, closes the circuit through them. The ball is preferably provided with a roughened surface, so that it cleans away any dirt 0r deposit on the contacts and makes a good electrical connection therewith. in case it be used tio close the controlled circuit. The contacts are spaced from the cup so that the ball or weight acquires sutlicient momentum to wedge itself between the contacts and spring them apart, whereupon the ball thereafter will be clamped between them. 1t is desirable in many cases, in order to preventa malfunction, to guide the ball to the contacts after it is released by the' cup, and for this purpose, l may employ a tube. 2T which terminates just above the space between the upper portions of the contact.

In order that the instrument shall not function improperly, or at any time except in response to the presence or absence of a current in the controlling circuit and the coil, various devices may be, employed. For example, I may employ a positive lock for preventing rotation of the coil. This I have shown as a lever 28, which may be moved by hand or otherwise into and out of the ath of the coil. Again, to prevent the coil rom being rotated when the instrument is located at an angle or is swung or jarred or vibrated, orsubjected to other abnormal conditions, I may make use of a diamagnetic ball or member 29 located in a conical depression or rccess 3l), in the upper portion lof the cylindrical mass 14. The recess is of such depthv that the member 29 normally does not protrude beyond the circumference, and the rangle of the side Wall of the depression is about 40 to its axis, so that, when the instrument is rocked, violently jarred or vibrated, thrown on one side or turned up'- side-down, the ball will roll or bounce into the'path of the coil and hold it against rotation. f

I have found this a very effective device for preventing the operation of the rela under abnormal conditions or Where it is subjected to dislocation or vibration. It is also necessary to prevent the Weight or spherical member from being accidentally dislodged from the cup, and, for this purpose, any suitable contrivance may be uti lized. l preferably employ an encircling ring or casing 30, which is a little off center and which communicates with the upper end of the guide. This ring or casing has an internal boss or shelf 31 which just clears the cup and permits the ball to pass thereunder when the cup is rotated or moved anti-clockwise under normal conditions, but which also receives the im act of the ball in ease the latter is thrown rom the cup, and prevents it from moving the cup alnd the coil anti-clockwise.

Byi employing a controllin member for the controlled circuit in spherical form and locating it in a semicylindrical or semispherical cup in line with the axis of thev coil, it is apparent that a minimum amount of energy is required to move the coil. Further, by employing the magnetic mass 14C between the pole pieces, a magnetic field of full strength and uniformity throughout the path of movement of the coil is maintained. The tension of 'the hair springs may he varied to permit the coil to move only when a current of the predeterniined or desired value or electromotive force passes through the coil. The instrument may be preliminarily calibrated hy an of the common methods. The rcctangu ar coil is preferably wound about a metallic bobbin 33, which has local currents induced therein by reason of the surrounding magnetic field when it is moved, so that the coil is strongly damped and held against movement from mechanical causes.

It is evident that the number of cups carried by the coil may be increased so that a plurality of controlled circuits may bc governed in operation by the controlling members normally resting loosely in the cups. The, contacts of one of such controlled circuits may be normally separated and those of the other circuit normally closed, so that spilling the balls or controlling members from the cups results in closing one circuit andopenng the other.

The magnet may, of course, be mount/ed in any suitable manner. l have shown it conventionally as supported by a standard 34: which also supportsthe insulating block for the controlled circuit contacts. Under certain conditions, an electro-magnet can be used.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent, to persons skilled in the art, that the instrument which I have shown (which, sofar as` the magnetic field and the rotary e011 are concerned, is substantially like lou active positions, the coil is prevented from suitable electrical, hydraulic or 'coil moves inresponse to a current fluctuaina-gaia` 3 direct current volt meter of theDArsoi-ival 6. A relay comprising a moving coil, and typel) is extraordinarily sensitive,

and yet is a gravity-operated locking device arranged so safeguarded that it is capable of rough to obstruct the movement of said coil when usage Without affecting its ability to uncthe relay is placed in any but the intended tion under normal conditions. The instruposition of operation.

nient may be lockedagainst operation man- 7. A relay comprising a moving coil, a ually by the locking lever, or the said lever member adaptedto prevent the movement of may be controlled automatically by any said coil, a receptacle therefor, saidmember pneumatic being normally held away from-said coil in apparatus, according to the conditions use; and, when the positive lock is in inlated to said member that a mechanical blow or jar will force said member from. said rememceptacle and obstruct themovement of said en the coil as specified.

8. A 'relay comprising a controlled cirtion in or to the passage of a current of cuit, a moving coil, means controlled b said predetermined value, through the coil, by coilfor establishing a predetermine conthe gravity lock or ball 29, all according to dition in the controlled circuit, and a -lever the use to which it may be put. lt is ap member adapted to obstruct the movement parent that the instrument is capable of of said coil, said -lever member bein movwide range of use in various industries. able into andout of the path of said coil.

Having thus explained the nature vof my 9. A relay comprising a moving coil, sepsaid invention and described a. way of makara-ted contacts, and a member'carried by ing and using the same, although without 'said moving coil for engaging said contacts, attempting to set forth all of the formsin having a roughened surface adapted to enwhich it may be made or all of the modes of its use, what I claim is: tacts.

1. Av relay comprising a magnetic. field, a 10. A rela comprising a pair of fixed concoil adapted to rotate' and cut the lines of tacts, and a reely movable unsecured weight force of said field, suitable connections for normally separated' from said contacts and conducting an electrical current intosaidJ -being adaptedwhen released to freely fall coil, a member normally held at the axis of and electrically operate upon said fixed consaid coil, and means for releasing said memtacts permanently. ber u n'the movement of said coil. 11,. A relay comprising a magnetic eld,

2. -rela .comprising a magnetic field, a a controllin circuit and a'controlled circuit, coil adapted to rotate and cut the lines of said control ing circuit comprising a Vcoil r'orotating, and the ball orr controllin ber from being dislodged, except w force of said field, suitable connections for tatable in said magnetic field and responsive conducting a current into said coil, a weight, to current fluctuation in the controlling cira cup member adapted to'holdA said weight cuit, a member for controlling the flow of in stable equilibrium on the' moving when in a normal position of rest, said cup controlled in operation by said coil, and being ada. ed to place said wei ht in unmeans for automatically preventing-rotation stable equi ibrium upon the rotation of said of said coil except when the rotation is due coil. l v 4 l to said current fiuctuation in the controlling 3. A relay comprising a magnetic field circuit. a coil adapted"to rot withinthe lines o 12. A relay comprising a magnetic field, a force of lsaid field, su' bleA connections for controllin circuit and aseparate controlled conducting electrical currents into said coil, circuit, saidcontrolling, circuit comprising a e a cont-rolled circuit' havi gv stationary concoil rotatable in said magnetic field and re'- tacts, and means controlled by the moving YJ`Psponsive tocurrent fluctuation in the concoil for engaging said contacts, the subsetrolling circuit, a member separable from quent operation of said means being indesaidcoil for controlling the flow of current coil, amember surrounding said cup, said.- saidc'oil to hold it against rotation. vmember being adapted to prevent the ballpendent of theoperation of said coil. in the 'secondmentioned 'circuit and con- 4. A. relay comprising a. moving coil, a 'trolled in operation by said coil, and a memcup adapted to hold a ball carried by said bermechanically movable into the path of 13. A'relay comprising a magnetic field, a falling from said cup in any but a precontrolling circuit and a controlledvcircuit, determinedI position of. said coil. said controlling circuit comprising a coil '5. `A relay comprising a movin coil, a.. rotatable insaid magnetic'field and responcup carried by said coil, a ball flying in sivel to current fluctuation in the'controlling said cup, a member lsurrounding said cup circuit, a member for controlling theffloyv and lcontained ball, and-a boss extending of current in the second-mentioned circuit' from the saidiring towardrthe ball forthe and controlled in operation by said coil,'and

purpose specified. E -a normally inactive vibratable-member reof its said receptacle, the receptacle being so regage the surfaces of the said separate concoil,- current in the second-mentioned circuit andlli lili) sponsive to mechanical 'arring or dislocation of said relay for holding `said coil against accidental rotation. y

14. A relay comprising ay circuit terminating in -a coil rotatable in a magnetic field, a Weight loosely carried by said coil at the axis thereof when the coil is in a predetermined position and dropped thereby when the coil reaches another angular position, and a second circuit having contacts spaced from said weight and located to bel engaged thereby when the weight is dropped.

15. A relay comprising a magnet, a coil rotatable in the magetic field thereof, a member normally sustained by said coil and rcleased thereby when said coil has rotated through a predetermined arc, and a guard enclosing said member when sustained by said coil. k.

16. A relay comprising a magnet, a coil y.rotatable in the magnetic field thereof, and

a member normally sustained by said coil at. approximately the axis thereof and released thereb when said coil has rotated through a pre etermined arc.

17. A relay comprising a magnet, a coil rotatable in the magnetic field thereof, a. member normally sustained by said coil and released thereby when said coil has rotated through` a predetermined arc, and means for locking said coil against rotation.

18. A relay comprising a magnet, a coil rotatable in the magnetic field thereof, a member normally sustained by said coil and released thereby when said coil has rotated through a predetermined arc, and a lock movable into and out of the path of said coil forholding it against rotation.

19. A relay comprising aemagnet, a coilv rotatable in the magnetic field thereof, a member normally sustained by said coil and releasedthereby when said coil has rotated through a predetermined arc, and a locking member adapted to be moved by Vibration or abnormal movement of said relay into position to prevent movement of said coil. l

20. /\k relay comprising a,magnet, la. coil rotatable in the magnetic field thereof, 'a member normally sustained by said coil and released thereby when said coil has rotated through a predetermined arc, and two locking members for preventing the rotation of said coil, one being normally active and rendered inactive under predetermined conditions, and the other being normally inactive but rendered active under predetermined conditions. A

21. A relay comprising a pair of contact members, a weight adapted to wedge between members, a rotatable coil normally sustaining said weight out of contact with said members and arranged, when rotated through a predetermined arc, to release said Weight so that it may drop into wedging relation to said contact members, and means for automatically locking said coil against rotation when the relay is bodily vibrated.

22. A relay comprising a magnet and a magnetizable mass between the poles thereof and spaced therefrom to provide an annular magnetic air gap, a coil arranged to rotate through said air gap and responsive to current in a circuit including such coil, a sustaining member movable with said coil, a Weight normally sustained by said member and released on rotation of said member to a redetermined position, and a locking mem er carried bysaid mass and movable into position tov prevent rotation of said coil.

23. In combination, a coil rotatably responsive to current fluctuations therein, a cup located at the axis of the coil and normally in upright position, a ball normally in said cup and dropped therefrom when the cup is tilted, and means for preventing accidental dislocation of said ball.

24. In combination, a coil rotatably responsive to current fluctuations therein, a cup located at the axis `of the coil and normally in upright position, a ball normally in said cup and dropped therefrom when the cup is tilted, and means for guiding the ball to a predetermined location when it is dropped from thecup.

25. ln combination, a coil rotatably responsive to current fluctuations therein, a cup located at the axis of the coil and normally in upright position,` a'ball normally in said cup and dropped therefrom when the cup :is tilted, a casing enclosing the ball and cup and having means for preventing accidental dislocation of said ball, and a guide below the cup for receiving the ball when dropped therefrom.

26. A relay comprising a rotatable cup, a loose member sustained normally therein, and a rotatable coil connected to said cup and arranged to tilt the cup to release the loose member therefrom when rotated through a predetermined arc.

27. In combination, a magnet, a controlling circuit including a coil rotatable in the magnetic field of said magnet, a second circuit, a cup attached to and rotatable with said coil, and a gravity-operated controlling member for the second circuit, normally held by said cup in inactive position and released to fall to active position on the rotation of said coil and cup.

28. In combination, a controlled circuit including a pair of contacts arranged at an inclination to each other, a member adapted to drop into wedging relation to said contacts, a controlling circuit including a rotatable coil, and a cup movable Wit said coil for normally sustaining said member in an inactive position away from said contacts.

29.- In combination, a controlled circuit including a pair of contacts arranged at an inclination to each other, la member adapted to drop into wedging relation to said contactsa a controlling circuit including a rotatable coil, a cup movable with said coil for normally sustaining said member 10 in an inactive position away from said contacts, and a guide for guiding said member to permit it to drop between said contacts when it is released by said cup.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

RALPH C. BROWNE. 

